We did it! We’ve been open a solid week with minimal casualties, the bin dump. However, we’ve put the call into CJ Pellowski at Centerville Tool and Die and I have complete faith he will save the day, once again, and have us back up and running within 24 hours. What would we do without our friends?
Already Mom has resigned herself to the 4am shift, somebody’s got to do it. I’m just glad it’s not me… yet. Yesterday she asked me, ‘so what time are you getting up in the morning?’ I said, ‘never.’ That’s just a little joke I like to play on the establishment.
The topic of the day was ‘Do we have a stink bug problem?’ We all decided the answer is ‘yes.’ Now what do we do about it? According to our ‘Tru Earth’ protocol, we don’t have many options. Our Honeycrisp pack outs are at stake. I’d hate to think of jeopardizing 30 acres of apples for the sake of a protocol which provides the grower with no financial incentive to certify her crop. I’m always amused by the people that write these protocols. Often, they have never tried to grow anything, have no personal investment in the success of their own programs. Funny.
Ok so for today’s irony, actually this was yesterday:
I’m at the farmer’s market in Winona, MN. A woman approaches my booth to look at the apples. She asks me if they’re organic. I explain that no, they are not organic; however, they were grown in accordance with the Tru Earth protocol. She tells me that she’s very wary of apples, ‘they’re on the dirty dozen you know.’
Typically, she only buys organic but she’s willing to try our fruit. I smile and nod. Her son picks out a beautiful apple with a tiny, brown spot up on the crown. She tells him to put it back. She doesn’t want it, it’s damaged. Ha, it never gets old.
According to various sources, which I’m about to make up…
Of the 90% of people who claim they want to eat only non-sprayed food, when presented with two apples –one that’s been conventionally sprayed, (it’s beautiful, has perfect shape, color, flawless skin), and one that’s never seen a single chemical application, (this thing is covered in spots, marks, blemishes, scars; it’s mis-shapen; it’s small; it’s ugly), so of those 90% of people, 99% of them will choose the beautiful apple 100% of the time.
C’est la vie.
About Jess
Come take a ride through the orchard on the Honeycrisp Express. Rides available all day long. Tickets are $1 per person.
Hi Jess! It was great to see you again at the farmers market ! You said that you give tours . Do you personally give the tour ?? Price ? “Any free samples :-)” Glen. S-2.4 B-112 R-26.2
Hi Glen!
Yes, we personally give tours! If it’s a smaller group, you guys can just hop on the train, we take off at the top of each hour on weekends. Tickets are $1, hopefully that doesn’t break the bank! And samples of apples are free everyday! You’ve got to try before you buy right!?! Ha!
Hope to see you soon!
Jess
Greetings Ecker’s
I am thinking of you often this time of year and hope all is going well.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen Moeller (Vihstadt)
Hello and goodmorning Eckers! We are heading your way to the orchard this morning with 3 VERY excited and ecxhuberant little ones in tow! What better way to spend a crisp fall like saturday morning in september!!!! Can’t wait to try to the amazing variety of apples i see listed as available in the month of september and boy is my 4 year old son excited about the john deere tractor ride!!! He even pulled out his John Deere sweatshirt to wear just for the event. Ha! My mother is also traveling from up north menomomnie Wisconsin to join us. She hasnt been to an orchard for many years so is thrilled to be part of this experience with her grandkids. We are looking forward to seeing you all in a few short hours!